Dixfield-area school district decides not to ban controversial book

DIXFIELD, Maine — The board of a western Maine school district has voted to allow a book that contains sexual themes and strong language in district middle school libraries, but will only lend it to students who have parental permission.

The book, “Stuck in the Middle: 17 Comics from an Unpleasant Age” by Ariel Schrag, was challenged last year by the parent of a middle school student in RSU 10 who objected to the book’s contents.

The district serves several towns in the Dixfield, Mexico and Buckfield area.

The Sun Journal reports that while some board members said they found few redeeming qualities in the book, and one said she was “appalled,” they did not want to censor it.

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A student representative on the board said students see worse on television.